Groundbreaking of Kearney County Hospital Improvement Project Announced
MINDEN, Nebraska — With the start of its 24-month construction project for a $10 million hospital expansion this fall, Kearney County Health Services will mark this occasion with a ground-breaking program beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.
The public is invited to learn about the expansion project and how it will help meet the growing and changing healthcare needs of local residents. The new 8,600 square foot addition will contain 10 new in-patient private rooms that respect patient’s privacy, are inviting and comforting as well as encourage family involvement. A new cardiac rehabilitation department and a new reception and admissions area and entrance are also part of the new construction. The existing 7,900 square foot acute care wing will be renovated and converted into a new larger two bay emergency room with waiting area, four outpatient exam rooms with two outpatient physician offices, a pharmacy area, nurses’ station and procedure room.
Kearney County residents are invited to the celebration which will begin at 3 p.m. in the south parking lot. Refreshments and a preview of the new plans that will soon be underway will follow. Completion of the project is estimated to take 24 months with a grand opening in the fall of 2013
Hospital Overhaul Will Change Face of KCHS
(Minden, NE) – The hospital in Minden is beginning a new age of medical care in Kearney County for its patients. In only a few short months, Kearney County Health Services will begin construction on their $10 million renovation plan to transform the building into a modern medical facility. Since the hospital improvement board passed the improvement plans, KCHS nursing and medical staff have been working closely with Cannon, Moss, Brygger Architects to create the design/build plans to tailor their needs. Although the details are yet to be finalized, anything from floor coverings to patient room design and nursing call systems have been considered. CEO of KCHS Fred Meis says plans must then be submitted to Federal, State, and local authorities such as the Fire Marshall for approval. Physical construction is projected to begin in September 2011. The estimate for completion remains at a steady two years, but when the actual renovation begins, the reality of their time frame will become clearer.
Voters in Kearney County decided the fate of the $10 million Kearney County Hospital improvement project with an overwhelming "For" vote on March 15, 2011.
During the campaign informational meetings were held at the hospital and throughout the county to inform the residents about the importance of the hospital improvement project and the how the bond would affect area property owners. The county-wide special bond election included Minden and the surrounding communities of Heartwell, Wilcox, Norman and Axtell. The "For" vote provided issuance of bonds totaling $10 million for the purpose of paying for the construction of a new patient room wing and renovation of the existing 56 year old facility. Repayment of the bond will be paid through a tax on all property within Kearney County. The increase in the property tax levy is estimated at 8.5 cents or approximately $85 on every $100,000 of valuation.The bonds could be refinanced at a lower rate or retired in whole or in part from any excess hospital funds at any time after five years. After finalizing the project plans, ground breaking is anticipated in late August or early September, 2011. The Kearney County Health Services Board of Trustees, administration and staff would like to thank the citizens of Kearney County for their support of keeping Kearney County Health Services a vital part of the community.